American Heart Association of Greater Pittsburgh announces new board leadership
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 5, 2025 — The American Heart Association, a global force dedicated to advancing health and well-being for all, proudly announces new leadership for its Greater Pittsburgh Board of Directors. The Greater Pittsburgh board plays a vital role in driving local impact through funding innovative research, advocating for stronger public health policies, and equipping communities with lifesaving tools and information.
Effective July 1, 2025, Chris Carmody, chief technology officer and senior vice president of UPMC, assumed the role of board chairperson. Brenda Mendizabal, MD, director of preventive cardiology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, became board president.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with both Chris and Brenda across various impactful initiatives. I can confidently say their leadership will accelerate our mission,” said Matthew Sousa, executive director of the American Heart Association Greater Pittsburgh. “Their energy and passion are evident in everything they do. Their longstanding commitment to longer healthier lives here in Pittsburgh makes them the perfect duo to lead our board for the next two years.”
Carmody has been a leader in healthcare technology at UPMC for over two decades, currently overseeing more than 2,000 IT professionals. In 2015, he was named Pittsburgh CIO of the Year by the Pittsburgh Technology Council and Greater Pittsburgh CIO Group. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westminster College, where he serves on the board of trustees and earned both an MBA and a Master of Information Systems Management from Robert Morris University. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at Duquesne, Point Park, and La Roche universities.
Dr. Mendizabal is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology. She earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed her residency at Children’s National Medical Center – George Washington University. She pursued fellowships in cardiology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and in preventive cardiology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, which at the time was the only pediatric preventive cardiology fellowship program in the country.
Her training was supported by an American Heart Association grant focused on pediatric hypertension and its impact on end organ damage.
“While I am beyond thrilled to welcome our new board leaders, it is bittersweet to bid farewell to those who have served with such dedication,” Sousa said. “We are profoundly grateful to Leeanna McKibben, our immediate past chair, and Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, our immediate past president, for their unwavering commitment. Their leadership has left a lasting legacy on our mission and the community we serve.”
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Karen Colbert– Region Sr. Marketing Communications Director, Western Pennsylvania
karen.colbert@heart.org
